What are the pressures of "fitting in" while also being true to yourself/where you came from? Chung tells this semi-autobiographical story from Davids perspective, effectively using the young character as the filmmakers surrogate. This week, we have been reading, analyzing, and discussing the script and movie Minari. Create something -- a piece of writing, art, music, a game, etc. Jacob, Monica, David (Alan S. Kim), and Anne (Noel Cho) receive good news when a cardiologist lets the family know that Davids heart murmur will likely heal on its own. Minari won the 2021 Academy Award for best Actress in Supporting Role.Young David and his family move from California to Arkansas to settle in a mobile home on vacant land, which the father hopes to farm. Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. But thats too much for one film, one director, and one story to bear. A discussion guide is a set of questions/tasks/topics that you, the researcher, wish to walk a research participant through in order to reach your learning objectives. Hand out the graphic organizer and give students a few minutes to complete the Before You Watch question. Do you think this scene would look different today? Not all Koreans have experienced immigration, but Minari will be able to resonate with all of us because it reminds us of our own childhood memories and families. Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Her oncoming dementia plays into that. A sweet, tender, and authentic look into a Korean family moving into the United States and vying for that elusive American Dream. Jacob refuses to hire a water dowser (people who seemingly find underground water through divination using a forked twig). Its implied that the Yi family will come back stronger as farmers and as a family. Yes, on both counts. People often fall into roles in families: The peacemaker, the comedian, the caretaker, etc. Is Soonja what you expected? This event has passed. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. SPOILERS AHEAD. The Collected Regrets of Clover: A Novel by Mikki Brammer Summary: From the day she watched her kindergarten teacher drop dead during a dramatic telling of Peter Rabbit, Clover Brooks has felt a stronger connection with the dying than she has with the living. -- can shift one's priorities? Social & Emotional Learning. You might also want to discuss some of the learning objectives or the concept of active viewing. Discussion Guide 5.12.2016 Pie Digital | Fast Insight 1 Page 2 of 4 Task 1: General exploration, Dashboard Imagine that you recently installed an app on your phone that was going to help you with your home network. This is *exactly* the kind of movie I like. (16:09-19:51), Clip #4: Jacob tells Anne that Koreans immigrate to the U.S. and miss Korean food. Beyond the snake, what does Soonja mean about things that hide? Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. Sometimes that Dream can be so intoxicating that it can get in the way of family and the failure can be devastating. Jacob relies on knowledge and planning, so dismisses the dowser. Can you think of a situation where you make your voice heard even though you can't really change what's happening? After her stroke, Soon-ja increasingly starts to feel like a burden to her daughters already struggling family and desperately tries to be as self-reliant and helpful as she can. You know your classroom and community norms best -- use your professional judgement to decide how you'll address these, if necessary. Films like Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell, The Half of It, and Always Be My Maybe are great and they are a start, sure, but it still feels like a momentous event when one of these films comes out. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. When they're by the creek, Soonja says, "It's better to see [the snake] than have it hide. If you decide to help students delve deeper into the topic, you might show the entire film and have more extensive discussions over multiple days. Jacob and Monica fight as the kids make paper airplanes with the message "Don't fight!" She says American kids don't like sharing their room and Monica says, "He's a Korean kid." The movie, partially based on Chungs life, is set in the 1980s. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? We also see Monica and Paul (Will Patton) with Jacob as he pays to find a new water well, something he was against in the beginning. Later, Anne asks David if he wants to live with mom or dad. The film willresonate particularly with students whose households have deep connections to countries other than the one in which they reside. Jacob faces many challenges and setbacks as he tries to make the farm work, only to lose the crop in the fire. A24. Christine is also a writer, primarily of fiction and essays, and loves to read all manner of books. Here are my takeaways via each days discussion. How would you describe the behavior of the people at church toward the Yi family? Create a "farm" that represents the things that motivate you to learn and grow as a person. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Is she what David expected? We also see the Yi family sleeping on the floor together. Who's right? (42:44-49:43), Clip #9: David dumps out his tea and urinates in the cup. Importantly, theyll return to this after the movie and reflect on it. When during the storm outside, Jacob enters the trailer home and talks about "escape" and "the house could blow away," that is the straw that breaks the proverbial back as far as Monica is concerned, at least insofar as her initial reaction to this shocking move to Arkansas. Soon-ja repeatedly tells her daughter to let David be a normal child. What does Jacob's decision to grow Korean vegetables in Arkansas say about culture and identity? The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. And if you're looking to check it out, find out how to watch Minari streaming. Promise. Theyll build something better from the ashes of their original missteps. "Minari" Discussion Group Friday July 16. Monica explains that her mom has no other family because her father died in the war. While she was in California, she was surrounded by other Korean expatriates, which created a sense of community. Reading scripts. Instead, she plays cards and swears. Official Screenwriting Blog of The Black List. The plot changes gears following the introduction of Monicas mother Soon-ja and her limitless optimism. MINARI. Much of the movie has subtitles, so if you have students that can benefit from ita simple transcriptand the full screenplay are both available. You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. Download. And it ultimately improves things for David, whom his parents have always kept under constant supervision because of his heart condition. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. All the films tension bubbles over into the heartbreaking but hopeful Minari ending. Dan M. (1:12:32-1:18:35), Clip #13: Monica tells Anne she's so grown up, taking care of everyone. Cookie Notice There's a ton of SEL content to work with here. We also see Jacob possibly understanding Monica better when she also tries to save the produce. Thinking back on the movie, is there one scene thats particularly memorable? Read. They frame the overall domain of insights you hope to uncover. Instead, he finds water by figuring out the low grounds. Plot Concept : After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. But "Minari" finds its greatest strengths in its sincerity. For Part 1, to read the Scene-By-Scene Breakdown discussion, go here. Warning! Minari also symbolizes the Yis story. By Richard Lawson February 22, 2021 Writer-director. Anne is a quiet force in the movie, taking care of David and trying to make things easier for her parents. Of course, you could also use some combination of the two, adapting the lesson to best suit your class's needs. The kids, David (played by Alan Kim) and Anne. The focus of this bi-weekly series is a deep structural and thematic analysis of each script we read. A marriage teetering on the edge of dissolution. But then her suprising comment to David about him being "strong." Absolutely critical to learn the craft of screenwriting. and our The heartfelt film from the studios of A24 tells the tender story of a Korean-American family that starts a farm growing Korean vegetables and endures the struggles of building a home in 1980s Arkansas. He has never heard anyone say that about him and he welcomes the praise. Theres so much more to it than that. Is there a "right"? David wakes up thinking he's wet the bed, but it was Soonja this time because she's had a stroke. Even if it doesnt represent the multiplicity of who we are? You can also use these in conjunction with the longer lesson plan below. Richard Brody began writing for The New Yorker in 1999. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. (1:02:06-1:03:57), Clip #11: After David gets hurt, Grandma emphasizes how strong he is. The farm is located an hour away from the nearest hospital, and Monica believes that they are putting their sons life in constant danger by staying there. But Jacob had his own share of disappointments with their lives in the Golden State. Monica wants a sense of community. In their efforts to connect with the new neighbors, the Yis become a part of the local church and almost inevitably encounters casual racism, admittedly stemming from ignorance rather than malice. Newer Post . Jacob faces many challenges and setbacks as he tries to make the farm work, only to lose the crop in the fire. Dan M. Jack K. Jean H; 8 attendees "Minari" Discussion Group Friday, July 16. Director Lee Isaac Chung Writer Lee Isaac Chung Stars Steven Yeun Yeri Han Alan Kim See production, box office & company info Watch on Prime Video rent/buy from $3.99 Dowsing is a very old practice considered to be pseudoscience by some and legitimate folk wisdom by others. So anyone can pick and eat it. Its been 139 years since the Chinese Exclusion Act that suspended Chinese immigration and declared Chinese Americans ineligible for citizenship (which wasnt repealed until 1943), but the idea of the immigrant as foreign and unassimilable hasnt gone away. Why? Based on Chung's own childhood, 'Minari' is about a Korean American family that moves to rural Arkansas to start a farm. Underdog story of trying to make a dream come true. I will have a review for it coming soon, so be sure to stop back by to check it out, it will be linked down below. Simple plot. Why do you think David has accepted Soonja? This guide offers two different approaches to teaching Minari: Feel free to use either approach, or even combine the two into one lesson (or an entire unit) based around the movie. When the kids on the bus make fun of Paul because he doesn't have water at his house, David realizes that's true about his family, too. Help students reflect on the social and emotional aspects of the movie and consider how their own emotions work. Soon-ja also serves as a link between Monica and Korea by bringing traditional medicines (for David) and native spices. Minor spoilers ahead for Minari.. Start by introducing the movie and give students some context as to why its worth thinking more deeply about. Korean people use their heads." In Lee Isaac Chung 's lovely new film, it flourishes in an Arkansas creek bed . Step 3: Write instructions for any user activities. Just a few hours before, she'd been making him feel safe. What unfolds from there may read like a normative immigrant tale of three generational differences, but it felt much more unique than that. If that makes sense. Edit Details To ask other readers questions about Minari please sign up . The Minari ending especially offers a satisfying and showstopping conclusion. Though it wasn't hugely popular among teens, it's possible that some of your students have seen it, so it's helpful to make a strict "If you know it, don't blow it" rule to prevent spoilers. Make sure to pause periodically (feel free to use the timestamps above) and give kids a chance to write or draw responses to the prompts on their handouts. published 21 March 2021 Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, is a semi-autobiographical story about the Yi family. Monica still wants to leave Jacob, and then all the produce is destroyed. Around 1:19:00, some kids use chewing tobacco. Develop interests and a sense of purpose. Step 2: Insert your questions for each topic. Even after her mothers arrival, Monica continues to struggle with her new circumstances. This week is our discussion about the film, Minari: "A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Minari Plot Synopsis Having spent a considerable portion of their early youths in California as chicken sexers, Jacob (Steven Yeun) and Monica Yi (Han Ye-ri) move their family of four to Arkansas' green pastures.